Antisweeping device for mines



Patented Bec. 8, i925.

JOHN MCGINN, OF VASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

ANTISVEEPING DEVICE FOR MINES.

Application filed June 13, 1924.

To all 11:71am. t may concern.'

Be it known that I, Join MCGINN, a. citizen of the United States, residing` at lVa-shington. in the District o1 Columbia, have invented certain new and useiul Improvements in i-Xntisweeping Devices for Mines, of which the following is a spec-itication.

This invention relates to mines, and has more particular reference to an anchoring structure for mines, wherein it will be impossible to sweep the same 4trom the sea in the method of dragging cables, which is now the most conventional manner in the mine sweeping art.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an anti-sweeping device for mines and includes means wherebyT the usual sweeping device may pass through the anchoring mechanism without etiiectively disturbing the mine, nor raising` the same to the surface of the water. Y

further object is to provide means ot the above character, that is relatively simple of construction, easy ot application and highly efficient for the purposes intended.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view as the nature of the invention will be better understood, the same comprises the novel form, combination and arrangenu-ent of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawingl and claimed.

In the drawing wherein like refe-rence characters indicate corresponding parts throughout both oi' the views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational `view disclosing a mine anchored to the floor of the sea, and with which is associated my antisweeping device, and

Figure 2 is a detailed vertical sectional view of the anti-sweeping devise per se, this view being at right angles to the device shown in Figure 1.

New, having particular reference to the drawing, my invention constitutes the provision of a relatively large and C-shaped metallic casting 5, the opposite ends of which are formed with outwardly1 extending curved feet 6 6, for a purpose hereinafter more fuliy described. This C-shaped meinber 5 is formed intermediate its ends with a laterally extending enlargement 7, that is formed with an arcuate shaped slot 8, positioned within which is a hollow anti-friction Serial No. 719,853.

roller 9 that surrounds a bolt 10, that serves as a medium for securing a sectional bar 11 to said C-shaped member 5 to the upper end of which bar is pivotally secured at 1E?, the usual mine 13. At the inner edge o1 said C-shaped member 5, the opposite sides thereof are formed with channel ways 14s-1l. that open at the ends of the -shaped mem.- ber, as clearly shown in Figure 1.

Cooperatively associated with the C- shaped member 5 is a star wheel 15, that comprises a pair of sections 16-16, each ot' which includes a hub portion 17 and radial arms or fingers 18 that are secured together in any desirable manner, but preferably through the medium of set screws 19, Figure l.

The arms or fingers l18ct the star wheel sections are formed at their outer ends and at their opposed faces with notches 20, whereby the outer ends oit said arms or fingers may pass over the adjacent inner edge of said C-shaped member 5. rlhe extreme ends of these arms or fingers carry anti-friction rollers 21 that are adapted for enga-gement within the channels le of said C-shaped member 5, for permitting the etlicient rotation of the star wheel and for et'- fecting a position maintaining means for the star wheel with respect to said C-shaped member.

The hub portions of the star wheel sections are formed with registering openings, through which is extended a relatively elongated tube 22 that is maintained within the hub, through the medium of a set screw 23, that passes into a circumferential groove 24 intermediate the ends of the tube. Positioned within the opposite ends of the tube are certain ends of a double anchoring cable construction 25, which ends are spliced together as at 26, the cables being further secured within the tube through the medium of set screws 27. The opposite ends of this anchoring cable construction are suitably anchored as at 28, and it will be apparent that in the event a sweep cable A engages over the anchoring cable 25, same will move upwardly thereon and find its way between the arms of the star wheel 15, whereby a pull on the cable A will effectively rotate this star wheel for bringing the same onto the other side of the anchoring cable and effectively pass therebeyond without interfering with or effecting the positionof the mine Within the ocean. The feet 6 of the C-shaped member' 6 tend to guide the sweep cable A between the spokes of the star Wheel and the pivotal connection of the mine carrying arm l1 to said C-shaped member prevents the hooking of the sweep cable beneath the mine and the consequent raising thereof.

The specific operation together with numerous advantages of an anti-sweeping device for mines of this character will be at once appreciated by those skilled in the art, and even though I have herein shown and described the most practical embodiment of the invention With which I am at this time familiar, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein Without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

1. In an anti-sweeping device for mines, an anchoring cable, an anchor 'to one end of which said cable is connected, a star Wheel to which the opposite end of the cable is connected, a body member upon which said star Wheel is mounted for rotation, and means slidably and pivotally connected With said body and adapted to be connected to a mine.

2. In a structure of the class described, a casting of substantially C-shape, said casting being provided on opposite sides with channels, the spaced ends of said body being directed laterally to provide guides leading to 'the open ends of said channel, a star Wheel, anti-friction bearings carried by the arms of said Wheel and receivable in said channel for rotatably mounting said star Wheel upon said body.

3. In a structure of the class described, a substantially C-shaped body provided on opposite sides with a channel opening through the spaced ends thereof, the ends of said body being directed laterally outward and bowed longitudinally to form guides, an enlargement carried by said body, said enlargement being provided with an arcuate slot, a connector having slidable and pivotal connection with said enlargement through the medium of said slot, said connector being adapted to be pivotally connected to a mine, a star Wheel having a hub and constructed tov permit an anchoring cable to be connected thereto, anti-friction bearings carried by the free ends of the arms of said star wheel, said bearings beu ing receivable in said channels.

In testimony whereof I ailiX my signature.

JOHN MOGINN. 

